Carlos Alcaraz is quite the showman! After securing two Grand Slams and two Masters titles this year, the Spaniard is proving he belongs at the top of the rankings. He previously held the 2nd position, just behind Jannik Sinner. However, after Alexander Zverev won the 2024 Paris Masters title, he surpassed Alcaraz to claim that spot. But Carlos isn’t the one to back down easily. Next, at the ATP Finals, he faces Zverev and the Spaniard will look to put in a great show. Despite battling illness, Alcaraz seems unstoppable!

Alcaraz’s first match didn’t go his way against Casper Ruud. He struggled with indoor surfaces and health issues leading up to the match. Many wondered how he would turn things around, but he silenced critics by defeating Andrey Rublev in his second round at the Finals! He triumphed over the Russian with a score of 6-3, 7-6 (10-8), overcoming sickness and all.

During his post-match press conference, reporters asked how he felt on the court while sick and what motivated him to push through. Alcaraz revealed to the ATP Tour that he surprised himself by playing despite feeling unwell. He explained that he remained calm while playing from the baseline with his serve. Ultimately, it was his fighting spirit that led him to victory, “You have to play your best tennis, even if you’re sick,” he stated.

Recalling the time Rublev went through a similar situation, Alcaraz further added, “He played really good tennis in Madrid during the whole tournament, even if he was sick,” he noted. Earlier in May, the Russian won the Madrid Open while battling a suspected virus. His victory was commendable as he defeated Felix Auger-Aliassime 4-6, 7-5, 7-5 before heading straight to the hospital afterward. Talk about being tough on the court!

“That happened today for me,” Alcaraz remarked, seeing strength in his weakness. “As I said, I tried to forget about I’m not feeling well, I’m sick, and deliver a really good tennis.” Now, he prepares to face Alexander Zverev, who recently surpassed him in the rankings. That match will truly test his resilience on the court as he jokingly added that he’s probably “going to get sick the day before” facing Sascha!

In the end, Carlos keeps his eye on the prize. As he said, “That’s what good tennis or top players do, even if you’re not feeling good.” Whether he’ll advance to the semifinals remains uncertain. However, illness isn’t his only challenge! He struggled on the indoor courts of Inalpi Arena in Turin. Known for dominating on clay and hard surfaces, adapting to this environment has proven tough for him, as seen in his first match against Ruud. Former pro-Julien Varlet noted how this change might impact Alcaraz’s performance!

Former tennis pro explains why indoor courts may be hard for Alcaraz to adapt to

On November 12, Julien Varlet shared his thoughts on Carlos Alcaraz’s performance in an interview with L’Equipe. Noticing that Alcaraz does not flourish on this surface, he stated, “On this surface, he does not have the right tactics,” highlighting that Alcaraz’s game thrives on hard and clay courts but he struggles indoors. He further added, “He plays point by point. It is a bit messy, there is waste, but that is what makes his game charming.”

Alcaraz shines on grass courts, having defeated top players like Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon. He excels on clay and hard surfaces, as seen in his performances at Roland Garros and the China Open. However, Varlet pointed out that indoor play favors ‘robotic’ players, stating, “That is the domain of hitters. Alcaraz is not robotic enough to flourish indoors.” On the other hand, Alcaraz shared Verlet’s sentiments on his indoor struggles.

After losing to Ruud, Alcaraz opened up about it during a post-match interview, he stated, “I have no experience playing on indoor courts.” He remains confident about improving with time and experience. As Alcaraz heads into his third round at the ATP Finals, the big question is whether he can take down Alexander Zverev, who already holds two ATP Finals titles. Do you think he will overcome sickness and the courts to make it to the semi-finals?  Share your thoughts below!